Operations are back to normal at the Mfuleni taxi rank after a deadly shooting on Friday last week during what is believed to be a taxi-violence-related incident. Four taxi operators were gunned down and two were injured. A passenger was also injured.
Four murder and three attempted murder cases have been opened.
In a statement on Friday 6 June, the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA) expressed shock and outrage at the brutal murder of four of its members. The organisation regarded the incident as a senseless act of violence. It further stated that the incident highlighted the urgent need for an effective regulatory framework to ensure the safety and security of taxi operators and commuters.
“As you may be aware Codeta Regional Taxi Council had written to the Western Cape Department of Transport and the MEC of Transport on 28 August last year to advise of the partial service of the M18 route (from Mfuleni to Somerset West) due to prohibitions on our operators returning with passengers.
Despite a notice sent on Tuesday 3 June to resume operations, operators of the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) prohibited legal operation from resuming operations which resulted in a meeting being called for this week (the date is not confirmed yet),” it stated, adding that unfortunately the dispute escalated into violence resulting in the tragic loss of life.
The statement said the organisation’s engagement with the provincial government and the City of Cape of Cape Town, and the lack of appropriate regulatory provisions have put the operators at risk.
It urged the Western Cape Government to take immediate action to address the regulatory gaps that have led to this tragic incident. “The safety of our operators and commuters is paramount and it is the responsibility of the regulatory authorities to ensure that adequate measures are in place to prevent incidents. The association made a call of action to the provincial government to strengthen the regulatory framework to ensure that regulatory provisions are in place to protect taxi operators and commuters from harm. Provide safety and security by implementing security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future,” it concluded.
Mandla Hermanus, chair of the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) in the Western Cape, said the council is deeply disturbed by the incident.
“We condemn this brutal and criminal act in the strongest possible terms. We call on law enforcement agencies to act swiftly and decisively to identify and arrest those responsible. There can be no tolerance for violence in our industry or communities,” said Hermanus.
He said SANTACO would be meeting with the relevant taxi association for talks and to restore stability in the industry. He said they urge all operators to remain calm and exercise maximum restraint.
“This incident must not be allowed to derail the efforts underway to build peace and unity within the taxi industry across the province,” said Hermanus.
Provincial police spokesperson Brig Novela Potelwa said the Western Cape Taxi Violence Unit detectives are investigating four murders and three attempted murder cases. She said of the seven victims, one injured is believed to be a commuter.
“Reports indicate that the shooting occurred at approximately 06:00 when two gunmen fired shots. The incident is believed to be taxi related. Western Cape officers have since bolstered deployment at identified taxi ranks in Cape Town. Meanwhile provincial detectives are offering a R100 000 reward for anyone with information on the shooting. No arrests have been made yet with investigators pursuing several leads,” said Potelwa.
She appealed to anyone with valuable information that can assist in expediting the police investigation to contact Capt
Lukhanyo Magadla on 082 411 3245. All information received will be handled with the necessary care and the identities of those who share information protected.
